Water atomization and mist delivery system

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed, in one embodiment, to a water atomization and water mist delivery system in which water and a gas are mixed in an aspirating device and provided to a nozzle. The mixture may be delivered from the nozzle to provide fire protection and suppression.

1 . A liquid atomization system, comprising:
 (a) an aspirating device configured to receive a liquid and a gas, the liquid passing through a central passageway of the aspirating device and the gas entering the central passageway through one or more ports in the central passageway, wherein the liquid and gas are mixed to form an atomized liquid upon exit from the aspirating device; and   (b) a nozzle configured with one or more orifices, the nozzle in downstream communication with the aspirating device and configured to receive the atomized liquid, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct the atomized liquid through the one or more orifices to the exterior of the nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aspirating device is an aspirating venturi. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the aspirating venturi comprises a central passageway of smaller diameter than an exit diameter of the aspirating venturi. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid flows through a throat of the venturi and the gas enters the throat of the venturi. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the gas comprises at least one of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the atomized liquid is a fine water mist. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein downstream of the aspirating device and upstream of the nozzle, the system further comprises a carrier tube configured to receive the atomized liquid from the aspirating device, wherein upon exit from the carrier tube the atomized liquid is a partially atomized liquid, and a re-mixer configured to receive the partially atomized liquid, wherein upon exit from the re-mixer the partially atomized liquid is an atomized liquid supplied to the nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the atomized liquid forms droplets with a Sauter Mean Diameter of no more than about 80. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle directs the atomized liquid in a direction of an exothermic reaction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the exothermic reaction is at least one of a fire and deflagration. 
     
     
         12 . A system, comprising:
 a gas input to receive a gas from a gas source;   a liquid input to receive a liquid from a liquid source;   a sensor operable top detect a thermal event;   a controller operable to cause discharge of the gas through the gas source and liquid through the liquid source;   an aspirating device configured to receive a liquid and a gas, the liquid passing through a central passageway of the aspirating device and the gas entering the central passageway through one or more ports in the central passageway, wherein the liquid and gas are mixed to form an atomized liquid upon exit from the aspirating device; and   a nozzle configured with one or more orifices, the nozzle in downstream communication with the aspirating device and configured to receive the atomized liquid, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct the atomized liquid through the one or more orifices to the exterior of the nozzle.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the aspirating device is an aspirating venturi. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the aspirating venturi comprises a central passageway of smaller diameter than an exit diameter of the aspirating venturi. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the liquid flows through a throat of the venturi and the gas enters the throat of the venturi. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the gas comprises at least one of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein downstream of the aspirating device and upstream of the nozzle, the system further comprises a carrier tube configured to receive the atomized liquid from the aspirating device, wherein upon exit from the carrier tube the atomized liquid is a partially atomized liquid, and a re-mixer configured to receive the partially atomized liquid, wherein upon exit from the re-mixer the partially atomized liquid is an atomized liquid supplied to the nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the nozzle directs the atomized liquid in a direction of an exothermic reaction. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising:
 (a) providing an aspirating device configured to receive a liquid and a gas, the liquid passing through a central passageway of the aspirating device and the gas entering the central passageway through one or more ports in the central passageway, wherein the liquid and gas are mixed to form an atomized liquid upon exit from the aspirating device, a nozzle configured with one or more orifices, the nozzle in communication with the aspirating device and configured to receive the atomized liquid; and   (b) discharging the atomized liquid through the one or more orifices of the nozzle in proximity to an exothermic event, whereby the exothermic event is suppressed.